Just over a decade ago, Michael McClacherty and Lynn Ferguson were staying at a bed-and-breakfast in New Zealand. “It was just one of those moments,” McClacherty said. “We looked at each other and we thought, ‘We can do this.’”

The couple started searching the West Side for the right property, but found that there were already a bunch of B&Bs in the area. So they looked elsewhere and eventually found a five bedroom, three-story heritage home (built in 1908) on Parker Street, near Commercial Drive. Three years ago, they opened The Bee & Thistle B&B.

McClacherty, 64, and Ferguson, 62, left careers in finance and insurance respectively to live their dream.

“The joke goes, we left nine-to-five jobs so we could work five-to-nine,” McClacherty said. “It’s a full-time job.” They employ four part-time staff.

The Bee & Thistle is mostly full between May and the end of September, and usually has at least one guest room occupied during the winter. Elaborate breakfasts are a specialty of the house; homemade jams include flavours such as raspberry and chocolate liqueur, and strawberry with Malibu coconut rum liqueur. Main course fare includes items like crème brûlée french toast, and mushroom and brie tart.

Out-of-town guests love the location, Ferguson and McClacherty said.

“We did have one guest who decided to go downtown,” Ferguson said. “But everybody else has loved the Drive.”

The best part of running the B&B is the people, the innkeepers agree. “We meet amazing people from around the world,” Ferguson said. “We went to Buenos Aires, and some of our former guests invited us over for dinner.”

“People are fantastic, there are so many stories, and people from all over the world have stayed with us,” McClacherty said. “And all different generations.”

“There are a lot of young families in the area,” Ferguson said. “So we get a fair number of parents and grandparents staying with us too.”

“Especially if there’s a new baby in the family,” McClacherty said. “The grandparents are proud but don’t necessarily be with them 24 hours a day.”

The Bee & Thistle is located at 1842 Parker St. Website: beeandthistle.ca

Here are a few more B&Bs to consider the next time family comes to town, or you want a vacation in your own backyard.

The Barclay House — Located in the heart of the West End, the colonial-style Barclay House combines old world fixtures like claw-foot tubs with modern touches like Phillip Starck Ghost chairs. Breakfasts are three-course blowouts. There is a lounge, complimentary sherry and games. The first-floor Garden Suite has its own entrance and sitting room. (Rooms range from $90 per night in the low season to $180. Website: barclayhouse.com)

The Corkscrew Inn — Kitsilano’s Corkscrew Inn lives up to its name with a collection of antique corkscrews and other wine-related items, viewable in the wine cellar museum on the main floor (not open to the public). Guests are invited to picnic in the museum. Located in a restored 1912 Craftsman-style home, the B&B’s guest rooms are furnished in distinctive styles (i.e. French, Art Deco, British India) and each has an ensuite bathroom and a variety of luxury amenities. Several rooms feature fireplaces and soaker tubs and all but one have private balconies overlooking the gardens. The innkeepers bake their own bread and smoke wild salmon, and grow their own grapes for jelly. (Rooms range from $120 per night in the low season to $265 in the summer. Website: corkscrewinn.com)

Lockehaven Waterfront Resort — This secluded Deep Cove B&B seems remote but is not far (25 minutes) from downtown Vancouver. The property has 77 feet of waterfront and is situated on three levels on a steep slope, with a 200-foot (60 metre) high hill blocking noise from the city for that peaceful, easy feeling of escape. The two suites are both on the waterfront and each has its own hot tub and in-suite kitchenettes. Breakfast is served in dining area or on deck.

Note: Lockehaven has a 15+ policy and minimum three night and two-night stays (during summer and winter months respectively).

Accommodations range from $160 per night in winter to $274 during July - September.

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